GREENWICH, JULY 25TH, 1901

GREENWICH, JULY 25TH, 1901

Dr. van Someren.

My Dear Brother, — I had your letter of the 11th June, and thank you for your thoughts as to my coming to Australia. The position has not much altered since I last wrote to you. I have lately heard from Patterson to the effect that the matter is still before their minds, but leaving it to me to bring it to a point. I have also heard from Glenny, who says that he would like to be with me if I came, but advises rather against coming while Mace is in the country. I am inclined to think that he is right. When Mace will be coming on I do not know, but one will have to wait in the matter, anyway I should not think of starting before next Spring. I have no definite thought of going to America at present, in fact I think that they are getting visitors enough from this country at present. In the autumn I am purposing to go to Germany with Mr. Reynolds. I have no anxiety to go abroad at all, for I am well occupied at home, and having all our family at home I do not care to leave too heavy a burden on my wife. However, our safety in these things is waiting, and I have confidence that the Lord will not fail to guide. I have an impression that anxious times may be at hand, for I feel pretty sure that the various bodies that call themselves brethren will not long hold together,

^[p. 177] and then the question arises, what will they do. There are signs that the Kelly party is falling to pieces, and I am sure that the remains will not hold together after Mr. Kelly is gone. I am glad of the account of things in Australia that you give me. I feel with you as to the undesirability of starting new meetings unless there is locally some material, so that there may be some assurance of permanence. If it is otherwise the thing labours in weakness and ends in disaster. Still we have to consider the weak, and those who find difficulty in going long distances. But before a start is made, the point is whether there is material. I hope that all will be made plain to you. We have been recently having a meeting at Burford, and had a talk as to the hymn book. I think that the general feeling of brethren is against any great disturbance of Mr. Darby’s work. If a few hymns that are never used can be eliminated and some more suitable ones put in their place, well and good, but the dislike is against any drastic treatment. I hope that Mr. Reynolds will take in hand what is to be done; he is the brother and will command most confidence. The collection of additional hymns has not commanded general satisfaction, they are felt to be too much ‘to order’. There are a few of them that may be selected. We are going shortly to Scarborough for a few weeks. This seems to have become a sort of yearly institution. Mrs. Stoney remains much in the same state. A good many collect there, and some, I think, in genuine hope of getting some spiritual nourishment. You will remember the place. Mr. Oliphant has been in America for some months, and is now on his way home. There seems to have been some move at Chicago, but of course it remains to be seen how much of it will stand when it had not the support of excited preaching. I do not see it is much use souls coming amongst us unless there is faith for the path, they will be surely disappointed.

^[p. 178] I hope that Mrs. van Someren and your boy are well, I am thankful that it is so with us through mercy.

With our love in the Lord, believe me,
Your affectionate brother,
F. E. Raven.